Keeping youth connected

#FrankstonCity

Online exercise classes for seniors

There’s no excuse for avoiding exercise thanks to FREE online sessions hosted by Frankston South Recreation Centre. Program Supervisor, Jenny Bosse, runs fun and stimulating classes for seniors and the young at heart. “They get the blood pumping and provide important connection, particularly as people are missing each other,” she said. A regular participant, Thelma, said she loved the sessions, which are held via Zoom. “It keeps me fit and healthy. They’re absolutely wonderful,” the 93-year-old said.

Enjoying a group workout from the comfort of home. Local students will have the tools they need to forge ahead with their studies thanks to 2020 Online Learning Technology Youth Grants. The grants support young people to purchase the technology they COVID-19 pandemic. The Frankston Youth Council Committee assessed and recommended funding 22 applications for a total of $10,485. This means 15 young people will receive laptops for secondary and TAFE studies, five will receive iPads and two will receive internet modems. Tay, who is studying for her Diploma of Mental Health through Chisholm TAFE, said she was looking forward to receiving a new laptop to replace her old ‘dinosaur’. “My laptop is more than 10 years old. During restrictions, we’re doing a lot of Zoom meetings and the laptop is regularly crashing,” the 24 year old said. Jenny runs a ‘Zumba Gold’ dancestyle class on Wednesdays and a cardio weights and stretches class on Thursdays. “Zumba is a dance class which includes Latin and other styles such as disco. The other class involves working on strength with weights,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to catch up online and get moving. Each session is about 30 minutes and they’re ideally suited for mature, fit people aged 60 years plus.” Email: frankstonsouthreccentre@

Keeping youth engaged and connected

need to study from home during the frankston.vic.gov.au to register. Tay works part-time as a Mental Health Support Worker and is keen, through her studies, to learn how those experiencing mental illness think and process information. The Online Learning Technology Youth Grants are funded via the Department of Premier and Cabinet's Engage! program.

Tay is looking forward to replacing her laptop thanks to the 2020 Online Learning Technology Youth Grants. A family give the thumbs up after receiving a delivery of food and other items from Community Support Frankston. Community Support Frankston extends a helping hand

The friendly team at Community Support Frankston is going all out to assist residents in need. Manager, Steve Phillips, said financial aid provided to the organisation from Council had been vital as more residents reached out for help during the pandemic. Council funds three senior roles at Community Support Frankston and also provided an additional $300,000 as part of its $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package. Steve said the additional funding had been critical as requests for material aid, including food parcels, clothing and toiletries, had risen almost 200 per cent compared to the period before the first lockdown in March. Many were seeking help for the first time due to their employment being impacted by COVID_19, Steve 8–15 November

NAIDOC WEEK celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples.

The week is usually held each year in July however was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme,

Always Was, Always Will Be, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

Frankston City Libraries hosted the

Indigenous Infusion program on 11

November, featuring Noonuccal added.“While the majority of our clients are still those struggling to maintain a private rental, from July to August we had double the amount of requests from home owners.” Steve said requests for financial support to help pay utility bills and replace essential whitegoods had also risen since the onset of the pandemic. “We’ve also had significant increases in support to those receiving both ‘no income’ and to those on an aged pension since COVID-19.” Community Support Frankston is a not-for-profit support agency, which provides services including emergency food, grocery vouchers, help with utility bills and referrals for vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. For information, visit: frankston.net or

NAIDOC Week 2020

phone: 9783 7284 man, Elder and culture worker, Gene Blow. Gene played the didgeridoo and spoke about its traditional name and history, he also introduced the audience to Indigenous storytelling through movement, art and song. Council's Youth Services team and Youth Council also hosted an online art workshop facilitated by Aboriginal artist Nina Turner. For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit: naidoc.org.au

Meet the team at the new Aldercourt Kindergarten

A flock of lucky Frankston North children will kick off their education in style next year, when Aldercourt Kindergarten opens on Silver Avenue. The Kindergarten will provide pre-schoolers with a high quality program to build their confidence and self-awareness as they prepare for the transition to school. The kindergarten will be located in the new Aldercourt Child and Family Centre, which forms part of the $26.2 million Victorian Government Frankston North Education Plan. The three early childhood educators welcoming the first group of learners bring decades of experience to their roles. Meet Nicole Nicole Bechaz has worked as an Early Childhood teacher for 20 years. Nicole was part of the initial team which opened Banyan Fields Kindergarten and has been teaching there for the past six years. Nicole has been recognised for her leadership and teaching skills, winning the 2018 Victorian Early Childhood Teacher of the Year award. Her work was integral to building strong relationships with Banyan Fields Primary School and ensuring a smooth transition to school. 25 November–10 December

Council has partnered with

Frankston Mornington Peninsula

Primary Care Partnership:

Respecting Seniors Network,

South Eastern Centre Against Sexual

Assault, (SECASA), Zonta Club of

Melbourne’s South East and

Chisholm Institute Frankston

Frankston City Libraries

Author Talk: Ruth Clare

Available to view via the library website, visit: library.frankston.vic.gov.au

Ruth Clare is the award-winning author of the acclaimed memoir, Meet Dawn Dawn BrookerMaguire has been a kindergarten educator in Frankston City for over 20 years. Dawn is dedicated and passionate about Early Childhood Education, her wealth of knowledge, gentle nature and commitment to the education will ensure the children attending Aldercourt Child and Family Centre have a wonderful kindergarten year. Meet Lisa For 25 years, Lisa Demezieres has worked with young children in a variety of settings. Initially, Lisa was a private nanny before taking a role as an assistant in a three-year-old kinder room, 10 years ago. In 2012, she began a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and has been teaching since 2015. Lisa loves to watch the children grow and develop throughout the year and to see them learn new skills and discover the world they live in.

Aldercourt Kindergarten is now accepting registrations for 2021, visit: frankston.vic.gov.au/

16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence

kindergartenregistration Enemy and a renowned speaker on domestic violence. Frankston Arts Centre Free your voice: Online vocal workshop Thursday 10 December, 6pm–7.15pm suitable for ages 16+, via ZOOM Art Therapist, Laura Trenerry will help you discover practical tools and exercises to free your voice and speak with confidence in any situation. To book, email: artsaccess@frankston.vic.gov.au For more information on 16DoA, visit: respectvictoria.vic.gov.au

Feeling safe in Frankston City

Frankston City is that little bit safer thanks to 31 CCTV camerasinstalled across six locations. In the past 12 months, CCTV has been installed at the following locations, at a total investment of $365,000. • Nat’s Track, Skye Road Frankston (two cameras) • Excelsior Drive, Frankston North (two cameras) • Thompson Street, Frankston (two cameras streaming to Frankston

Police station) this summer Snakes are often more active in summer, following their hibernation. Although they evoke fear in many, snakes usually only become defensive when they feel threatened. Council does not have the authority to assist with snakes on private land. If you encounter a snake on your property: • Never try to remove it yourself • Stay still and wait for the snake to move on, or contact a licenced snake handler who will come and move it to a safer place (fees may apply) Ensure you, as well as your children and pets, stay a safe distance from the snake and if possible keep an eye on it so you know where it is when the handler arrives • In the unlikely event of a snake bite, apply pressure to the bite site and phone 000 Residents and visitors are reminded that all native animals, including snakes, are protected under the • Playne Street, Frankston (three cameras) • Nepean Highway, Frankston (16 cameras) • Frankston North Community

Centre (six internal cameras) A further nine locations are under review, at a proposed investment of more than $313,000. For more information on community safety in Frankston City, visit: frankston.vic.

Snakes deserve our respect

gov.au/CommunitySafety Wildlife Act 1975. Harming snakes is illegal and can be devastating to local eco-systems. For more information on treating a snake bite, visit: bettersafercare.vic.gov.au For information on protecting your pets from snakes, visit: rspcavic.org

There are a number of things you can do to make your property less appealing to snakes:

• Install fine mesh around the perimeter of your property, by digging it slightly into the ground • Keep your garden maintained (this will also help you see if a snake is present) • Clear your property of building rubble, tiles, old tin and anything else that may attract a snake in search of a home